How Video Game Therapy Affects Thinking and Emotions in Older Adults With Cognitive Impairment

Summary

Golden Gamers Go is running a study together with Rey Juan Carlos University to better understand how videogames can help older adults, especially those with memory problems or cognitive decline.

The study takes place in real care settings, such as day centers, and involves around 45 older participants. Over two months (with a possible follow-up period), participants take part in two to three sessions per week using video games on PlayStation.

These are not special "health games," but popular, commercial video games that have been carefully selected and adapted to be easy to use, enjoyable, and meaningful for older adults.

The goal is to see whether playing these games can help improve thinking abilities and also how participants feel during the activity - for example, if they are more engaged, motivated, or emotionally positive.

This study builds on previous experience where this approach has already shown promising results in increasing participation, motivation, and overall wellbeing.

By carrying out this research, Golden Gamers Go aim to better understand how meaningful and enjoyable activities like videogames can support healthier and more active aging.

Conditions

• Older Adults (65 Years and Older)
• Cognitive Impairment, Mild

Interventions

PROCEDURE

Videogames masterclass

This masterclass sessions are carried out in small groups. It talks about the use of certain videogames and VR devices for improving the health of the participants. Each session begins with a simple introduction, and end with a short group reflection, and professionals record participation and responses to guide future sessions. The vidoegames that will be described and shown for the users experience are some that have a high degree of accesibility from the Golden Gamers Methodology perspective.

PROCEDURE

Therapy with videogames

Therapy sessions are carried out in small groups using adapted comercial videogames. Each session begins with a simple introduction, followed by gameplay with continuous support. Participants can engage in different ways (playing, assisting, or observing), depending on their needs. Sessions end with a short group reflection, and professionals record participation and responses to guide future sessions. There a lot of unique aspects for this approach. First, the use of comercial videogames for therapy, instead of serious games. Therefore, the whole process is guided by the Golden Gamers Methodology, specialiced in cognitive accesibility. The combination of this kind of videogames, with this adaptations in a senior population with cognitive impairment is totally different from other studies.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Golden Gamers Go SL

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Cristina García Bravo, PhD · Universidad Rey Juan Carlos

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-04-13

Primary Completion

2026-06-15

Completion

2026-07-06

Countries

• Spain

Study Locations